CN105940662B

CN105940662B - Adapter for attaching a headset device to a helmet

Info

Publication number: CN105940662B
Application number: CN201580006883.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 艾雷兹·梅塔尔; 乌里·基利波
Original assignee: CARDO SYSTEMS Inc
Current assignee: CARDO SYSTEMS Inc
Priority date: 2014-02-03
Filing date: 2015-02-02
Publication date: 2020-05-05
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-02
Also published as: IL230802A0; EP3103248B1; US20190141175A1; US10601974B2; EP3103248A4; JP2017504735A; JP6420369B2; EP3103248A1; US20170171372A1; WO2015114636A1; CN105940662A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a replaceable adaptor for attaching a headset device to a helmet, comprising: (a) a lower layer positioned at a lower portion of the lower layer, the lower layer having a shape adapted to be received within a helmet cavity positioned in a helmet; and (b) an adaptor cavity adapted to receive the headset device; wherein when it is desired to attach another headset device having a different shape or size to the same helmet, or when it is desired to replace the helmet with another helmet having a different shape or size, the adapter is replaced accordingly.

Description

Adapter for attaching an earphone device to a helmet

Technical Field

The field of the invention relates generally to the field of helmet accessories. More particularly, the present invention relates to an adapter for attaching an arbitrarily shaped headset to a helmet having a specifically shaped cavity.

Background

Headset devices (hereinafter "headset apparatus", "bluetooth apparatus" or "headset") are widely used in conjunction with helmets, particularly when hands-free operation of the headset is required. In a particular example, the headset is widely used in connection with helmets for motorcyclists, or other sport or leisure activities (although the following description discusses a particular example for a motorcyclist helmet, this example should not be considered as a limiting example, as the invention can be used with any type of helmet). In recent years, headset devices for motorcyclists have improved significantly, especially as the bluetooth protocol becomes feasible. Bluetooth headsets for motorcyclists now offer many features that were not possible a few years ago, such as:

a. the equipment is miniaturized;

b. communication between motorcyclists;

c. the use of wireless connections between devices and "relaying" of communications within the motorcycle, communicating with similar devices of other motorcyclists on the one hand, and transmitting communications to or from the driver's headset on the other;

d. hands-free operation of the device;

e. connection of a telephone;

f. communication of emergency information; and

g. various additional features.

It should be noted that the terms "bluetooth device", "headset device" and "headset" as used herein all refer to devices that are disposed within a closed housing, wherein the headset is not part of the device, as it is typically located within the helmet itself. Many types of bluetooth devices for motorcyclists are manufactured and sold, for example, as products of Cardo Systems inc.

In view of the fundamental differences in nature between the two, the helmet and bluetooth headset (especially for motorcyclists) products are usually manufactured by different entities. The various headset models, in many cases made by different manufacturers, naturally have various sizes, shapes, and even electronic connectors. A rigid helmet design must provide adequate space in advance for the bluetooth device to be accommodated while also providing adequate attachment means and operating environment. Unfortunately, there is no standard for bluetooth headset attachment means, shape or size, which is not foreseen in the near future.

To be able to accommodate bluetooth devices, many helmet manufacturers provide a cavity with a connector that is accessible from the outer surface of the helmet. In some cases, the cavity and connector are covered when not in use, for example by a plastic cover that is removed when the cavity is required for use. However, the cavity and connector are adapted to specific product shapes, sizes and connector arrangements, possibly in the case of a specific device model, but not to most other bluetooth devices on the market.

Another solution for attaching the headset to the helmet is by means of an adhesive clip. However, this solution is not preferred and has various drawbacks.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adapter for connecting a bluetooth device to an existing cavity within a helmet, regardless of the shape, size or arrangement of the cavity or bluetooth device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide all the required means within the adaptor for mechanical attachment and electronic connection to a helmet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a replaceable adaptor for attaching a headset device to a helmet, comprising: (a) a lower portion located in a lower layer having a shape adapted to be received within a helmet cavity located in the helmet; and (b) an adaptor cavity adapted to receive the headset device; wherein when it is desired to attach another headset device having a different shape or size to the same helmet, or when it is desired to replace the helmet with another helmet having a different shape or size, the adaptor is replaced with another adaptor having an adaptor cavity capable of receiving the other headset device, or another adaptor having a lower shape adapted to be placed within the cavity of the other helmet, respectively.

Preferably, the adapter cavity is disposed on an upper adapter layer above the lower layer.

Preferably, the helmet and the adapter comprise locking means for keeping the lower part of the adapter locked within the helmet cavity.

Preferably, the adaptor comprises locking means for keeping the earphone device locked within the adaptor cavity.

Preferably, the helmet cavity and the adaptor cavity are different in shape, size or both.

Preferably, a first connector is provided at a lower portion of the adapter, the first connector being adapted to mate with a corresponding helmet connector at the helmet cavity.

Preferably, a second connector is provided at the adaptor cavity, the second connector being adapted to mate with a corresponding connector at the earphone device.

Preferably, suitable wiring means are provided for making connections between corresponding contacts of the first and second connectors.

Preferably, an opening is provided at the adapter at the location of the cavity connector, and an additional separate connector is provided to mate with the cavity connector on one face thereof and the headset connector on the opposite face thereof.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a typical helmet and headphone device according to the prior art;

fig. 2 shows a helmet, an adapter and a headset device according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 3 shows a rear view of the adapter, showing its lower part ("lower" referring to the part of the helmet that is deeper relative to its outer surface); and

fig. 4 shows another perspective of the adapter, headset and helmet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a motorcyclist's helmet 1 according to the prior art. The helmet shown is typical in its structure and essentially consists of three layers: an outer hard plastic layer 10, an intermediate energy absorbing soft layer (not shown) typically made of expanded polystyrene (EFS), and a soft fabric layer 11 for user convenience, such as for sweat absorption, to adapt to the shape of the user's head, etc. The shape of the layer is specific for each helmet, due to safety, aerodynamic and aesthetic considerations. To receive the bluetooth headset device 20, some helmets are provided with a helmet cavity 15. In the preferred case, the helmet cavity is made of plastic, extending through or from the outer hard plastic layer 10 and through the intermediate layer. In this preferred case, the helmet cavity also comprises an electronic connector 18, the electronic connector 18 being capable of connecting an earphone device located in the middle layer and an earpiece located in the inner layer 11. In some other less preferred cases, the earpiece is not pre-installed inside the helmet, but is connected and attached externally by the user.

As shown, the helmet cavity 15 is shaped to receive a particular bluetooth headset device 20 of a particular model. The bluetooth headset apparatus 20 must conform to the helmet cavity 15 and, depending on the position of the electronic connector 18, it typically has a locking means (not shown) for keeping the apparatus securely in place within the helmet cavity. Any device having a shape and/or connector different from the structure provided within the helmet cavity cannot be accommodated in the cavity nor function properly.

Fig. 2 shows an adapter 30 for enabling various shaped devices to be inserted into a helmet cavity of a given shape. Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the adapter according to an embodiment of the invention. Adapter 30 is typically made of plastic and is a two-layer assembly. The lower layer 17 of the assembly has a shape that substantially conforms to the shape of the helmet cavity 15 and can therefore be inserted into this cavity. Locking means (not shown) securely lock the lower layer 17 of the adaptor 30 within the helmet cavity 15, while the upper layer 16 of the adaptor protrudes from the level of the outer hard plastic layer 10 so that it can generally have a larger or smaller outer edge than the outer edge of the helmet cavity 15. The upper layer 16 of the adaptor has an adaptor cavity 19 adapted to receive a particular bluetooth headset device 20, so that the shape of the adaptor cavity 19 conforms to the shape of the particular bluetooth headset device 20. In one embodiment, the adapter 30 includes a first connector (not shown) on the lower layer 17 adapted to mate with the electronic connector 18 of the helmet cavity 15, and a second connector 26 on the upper layer 16 for mating with a corresponding connector on the bluetooth headset apparatus 20. Alternatively, the wires may be used to bridge between the contacts of the two connectors of the adapter 30. In another embodiment, the adapter 30 has an opening (not shown) through which the separate connector mates with the cavity connector on one side thereof and with the headset on the opposite side thereof.

The adaptor also includes locking means on the upper layer 16 for locking the bluetooth headset device 20 within the adaptor cavity 19.

Alternatively, the adapter may be equipped with an antenna (not shown) that is connected to the bluetooth headset device 20 by a connector located in the upper layer 17.

As shown, the adapter 30 of the present invention enables a bluetooth headset device 20 of any shape to be connected to a helmet cavity 15 within a helmet 1 designed to receive a headset device of a corresponding specific shape. As shown, only the lower layer of the adapter 30 must conform to the shape and size of the helmet cavity 15 and to the electronic connector 18 within the helmet. The upper layer of the adapter and the adapter cavity 19 are designed to conform to the shape, size and connector of a particular bluetooth headset device 20. Preferably, the adapter is designed to conform to the shape of the helmet, among other considerations to be considered are aerodynamic considerations.

Fig. 4 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. The adapter 130 is similar in its construction to the adapter 30 of fig. 2 and 3. Those elements of fig. 4 having like numerical designations as those of fig. 2 and 3, respectively, also perform like functions; therefore, the description about those elements will not be repeated. Adapter 130 includes an opening 141 through which connector 118 enters to mate with a corresponding connector of headset 120. The adapter 130 further comprises a correspondingly arranged clamping device 142 attaching it to the cavity 115. The helmet 1 comprises one or more additional cavities 149 for housing other components not relevant to the present invention, such as speakers.

Thus, the generally low cost, simple and replaceable adaptor provides helmet manufacturers with freedom with respect to helmets engaging various shapes of headphone devices, while also providing bluetooth device manufacturers with freedom with respect to devices engaging helmets having helmet cavities of any shape and size. Furthermore, devices of various shapes can be easily attached to a given helmet, provided that a suitable adapter 30 is used.

Thus, for a given helmet, another adapter may be necessary for each different headset model. Furthermore, for each equipment model, another adapter may be necessary for each particular helmet model. Thus, when the user wishes to replace the headphone device, he does not need to purchase a new helmet with a suitable helmet cavity. Furthermore, when the user wishes to change the helmet, he does not have to worry about whether the helmet will engage his existing headset device. In both cases, only the appropriate inexpensive and simple adapter is replaced.

In one embodiment of the invention, when it is desired to remove the headset device from the helmet, the bluetooth headset device 20 is detached from the adapter cavity 19 of the adapter 30 while the adapter 30 remains attached to the helmet 1 within the helmet cavity 15. In another embodiment, the adapter 30 is detachable from the helmet cavity 15 together with the earphone device 20 held in the adapter cavity 19. The clamping means in the helmet to attach the adapter 30 to the helmet and in the adapter to attach the adapter to the helmet and the bluetooth headset device 20 are standard and may be of various types.

Although some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it is obvious that the invention can be carried out with many modifications and adaptations, and with many equivalent or alternative solutions, within the scope of a person skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A combination comprising a helmet, a headset device and a replaceable adapter for attaching the headset device to the helmet,

wherein the helmet comprises an outer hard plastic layer, a middle energy-absorbing soft layer and a fabric inner layer,

wherein the adapter comprises:

a lower portion located at a lower layer, the lower portion and the lower layer being located deeper within the helmet relative to an outer surface of the helmet and having a shape that conforms to a shape of a helmet cavity at the helmet, the helmet cavity extending through the outer hard plastic layer and the intermediate energy-absorbing soft layer, when the adapter is mounted on the helmet;

an adaptor cavity conforming to the shape of the headset device, the adaptor cavity being adapted to receive the headset device;

wherein, when it is desired to attach another headset device having a different shape or size to the helmet, the adapter is replaced with another adapter having an adapter cavity capable of accommodating the other headset device, or

When it is desired to replace the helmet with another helmet having a helmet cavity of a different shape or size, the adapter is replaced with another adapter having a lower shape that conforms to the shape of the helmet cavity of the other helmet,

wherein the adapter comprises an opening through which an electronic connector of the helmet cavity enters to mate with a corresponding electronic connector of the headset device.

2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the adaptor cavity is provided in an upper layer of the adaptor which, when the adaptor is mounted on the helmet, projects from an outer layer of the helmet and is located above the lower layer.

3. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the helmet and the adapter comprise locking means for keeping the lower portion of the adapter locked within the helmet cavity.

4. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the adaptor comprises locking means for keeping the headset device locked within the adaptor cavity.

5. A combination according to claim 1, wherein the helmet cavity and the adaptor cavity differ in shape or size, or both.

6. A combination comprising a helmet, a headset device and a replaceable adapter for attaching the headset device to the helmet,

wherein the adapter comprises:

wherein the adapter comprises a first electrical connector located at the lower portion and adapted to mate with an electrical connector of the helmet cavity.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the adapter comprises a second electrical connector located on the upper layer and adapted to mate with a corresponding electrical connector of the headset device.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein a wiring lug is provided to connect between respective contacts of the first and second electronic connectors.